15 Healthy Snacks to Put in Your Beach Bag This Weekend

Picture this: You're heading to the beach. Your bag is packed with a juicy book, sunscreen, and a towel—and you even remembered Bluetooth speakers. You're basically good to go, except for one thing: the perfect beach snack. Add these portable foods to your bag before heading out the door, and you won't need to leave the sand all day.

Turkey jerky. Jerky is high in protein and chewy, so it will keep you busy and satisfied. Make sure to pick organic and natural brands whenever possible.

Dried fruit. This is a great alternative if you crave gummies. Remember, dried fruit = whole fruit that's concentrated, so choose varieties that have no added sugar.

__Frozen edamame.__Once defrosted, edamame is perfect to eat right out of the bag. It's high in protein and considered a nonprocessed soy product. Tip: Bring an extra bag or container so you can toss the pods.

If you crave creamy:

Hummus. Guacamole oxidizes into brown mush, so hummus is your best bet for a long-lasting dip.

__Chocolate coconut water.__If you tend to crave an ice cream bar at the beach, go for this instead. Coconut water is high in electrolytes to keep you hydrated, which is especially important when you're lying out in the sun. The chocolate versions are typically made with coconut milk, which is cold and creamy. And best of all, it won't melt all over you!

If you crave sweet:

Whole fruit. Apples, peaches, strawberries, and blueberries—they're all in season in the summer (in most places) and make a delicious beach/pool snack.

Frozen cherries. Grapes are high in sugar, and the organic version can be quite expensive. If you want a sweet, bite-sized fruit, opt for frozen cherries instead. You can find them in the freezer section of your supermarket. Eat them straight out of the bag!

Dark chocolate. Freeze a bar of dark chocolate overnight, and bring an ice-pack so it doesn't melt. Choose one that's 65 percent cacao or above, so you're getting a higher ratio of antioxidants versus sugar.

__Fruit-filled water.__Don't forget to hydrate! Bring a liter of water to the beach and stuff some frozen fruit, like pineapple chunks or raspberries, into the bottle. (You can also try these other infused-water ideas.)

If you crave crunchy:

Bean chips. Instead of tortilla chips, which are made of corn, or pita chips, which are made of wheat flour, bean chips are made from healthy lentils. You can find 'em in any health food store.

__Spelt pretzels.__If you're a pretzel lover, try this whole grain, high-fiber version. Made from spelt (similar to whole wheat), these will keep you satiated without making you feel bloated.

__Roasted chickpeas.__Such a good finger food! They're high in protein and perfectly shaped to pop in your mouth. Make them at home easily with this yummy recipe.

Seaweed snacks. Not only is seaweed super healthy, but it weighs almost nothing, so this snack won't weigh you down your bag. Choose the plain variety, and look for brands made with olive oil, not canola oil or soybean oil.

Raw pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are high in potassium, tasty, and the perfect thing to grab when you feel like snacking in your beach chair.